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Re: Augmenting Effexor XR with Lithium

Posted by JohnL on October 14, 2000, at 6:24:47

In reply to Augmenting Effexor XR with Lithium, posted by Christina on October 13, 2000, at 10:09:33

> I've been on anti-depressants (various ssri's) for about 6 years. The most common side effect i have is fatigue and loss of concentration.
> I am currently on Effexor XR 75 mg/2x daily. The fatigue has been the worst on Effexor.
> My pdoc recently prescribed 300 mg of Lithium to augment the Effexor (I have a family history of bipolar, but have not experienced much manic activity). I don't want to start this until I receive from feedback from others who have tried this approach.
> Please... any comments (negative or positive) will be greatly appreciated.
> thanks

Christina,
At 300mg Lithium is really no big deal. You might have a bit of dry mouth, maybe not, and you might have to urinate a little more often than usual. But 300mg is an easy dose. Nothing to fear here. Where Lithium gets more difficult and a little scary is up in the 1200mg to 1800mg range.

Generally 300mg to 600mg is a common range for augmenting antidepressants. Sometimes 900mg. I've heard of some people responding to it the very first day. With others it could take several weeks. It all depends on how directly it affects the real underlying chemical problem responsible for you symptoms. There are others who are not helped at all by it. Like me. You just have to try it and see how it goes. But I just wanted to assure you that at low doses, Lithium is generally very mild and well tolerated.
John


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